Apple’s App Store has revolutionized the way we get new applications onto our mobile devices.
We can search, buy, download and install iPhone/Touch apps all through the internet. Just like iTunes did for music, the App store makes the buying process more convenient while eliminating waste (retail boxes and disks.)
So what about desktop applications and other traditional software? Where’s the Mac download store for that?
While desktop apps are bigger (and piracy is more of a concern,) it seems outdated to go to a retail store to buy a version of Office or Civilization on DVD.
The bandwidth limitations are disappearing (we can already download multi-gig movies from iTunes,) and other companies are gravitating towards the download model.
I’d much rather update to 10.6 through iTunes for $29 than to go the Apple Store or order from Amazon. Is the bandwdth cost really more that than the package, shipping and stocking costs of a retail box?
While individual software companies offer some titles for download, a centralized Apple store just makes sense. I’m sure that in a year or two, the on-demand download model will win out, and we can enjoy the same great iTunes shopping experience for all of our apps.
Trackpad from a 13" Unibody. Note the location of the clicker button.
The trackpad on the MacBook (Pro) Unibody is a service part that can be replaced separately from the top case. Traditionally, the trackpad and top case where classified as one piece.
New to the Unibody design is the ability to adjust the pressure sensitivity of the trackpad clicker. There is an adjustable screw that rests on the clicker button (shown in the circle above.) On Unibody models where the battery is removable, all you have to do is remove the battery to access the screw. For newer models with built-in batteries, accessing the screw requires more disassembly.
Activity Monitor in Applications > Utilities
Your Mac’s battery may drain faster if there is an application that has “run away” or taken over system processes.
This can happen to an application if it has crashed or is unstable. This may lead to the app using to much of the processor resources, which in turn causes the system to consume unnecessary power.
You can look at the Activity Monitor (in the Utilities folder) and see what percentage of the CPU any given app is using.
If an idle app is consuming more than 70% of the CPU, try quitting the app to regain CPU process control.
If you use your Mac laptop by sleeping rather than shutting down when not in use, it’s worth a look in the Activity Monitor to make sure no apps are hogging resources that will decrease battery life.
Check out my interview by best-selling Mac author and columnist Gene Steinberg on The Tech Night Owl. We’ll be discussing the origins of MyService, some common problems we get to see with laptops (and some not-so-common ones), along with which laptops we think are the toughest.
You can check it out for free on iTunes (search for The Tech Night Owl, 6/11/09), or download the MP3 here. My segment starts at right around 36:30 in to the show.
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